Christmas Newsletter

All Gluten Free

"Miss Bonnie's Party & Holiday Cheese Balls"

I used chopped walnuts on the Jalapeño Cheese Ball, and chopped pecans on the Pimento Cheese Ball. In this photo I topped the Walnut Pimento Cheese Ball with a Cranberry Sauce drizzle. They were both a big hit last year when we sampled these Yummy Cheese Balls. Both Miss Bonnie's Cheese Balls were devoured. One jar of Miss Bonnie's Cheese makes a nice sized half pound Cheese Ball. So easy, and so yummy. For those that can't eat nuts, I have posted a mixed dried fruit Cheese Ball later in the Holiday Serving Tips (tastes like cheese cake). If you have never made a Cheese Ball, it's so easy. Spoon the Cheese out of the Jar into a small cereal sized bowl. Pick up the cheese and form it into a ball. Open your bag of chopped nuts and put some in your hand. Pat the nuts onto the Cheese Ball. Rolling the nuts onto the ball doesn't work as well for me. Thats it! Put on a small dish and cover with clear wrap in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

"Miss Bonnie's Filled Crescent Rolls"

Crescent Rolls offer endless possibilities for creating sensational appetizers, snacks, and entrees. For this one I opened my Crescent Roll dough package and spread either Miss Bonnie's Gourmet Pimento, Gourmet Jalapeño, or Gourmet Classice Cheddar Cheese Spread onto each crescent pastry triangle. I use the Store Brand Crescent Roll Dough that comes in the tube. Some I filled only with Miss Bonnie's Cheese, so I used more cheese. For the others, I used Red Eye Country Ham, and Black Forest Ham. You can fill with any type of meat, seafood(cooked shrimp,crab meat, or cooked oysters), and don't forget raw veggie combinations. Roll up each triangle and pinch off the ends so as the cheese melts it won't seep out while baking. Put in preheated oven at 375 degrees and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until they begin to brown. Serve whole or cut in 2 or 3 pieces. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before cutting. So Easy, So Fast, and So Good. There is nothing quite like the smell of Pastry cooking in the oven during the Holidays. Enjoy!!!

"Miss Bonnie's Cheesey Dippped Cocktail Meatballs"

Swedish, Italian, Homemade or Store Bought, Meatballs are always a party or get together favorite. The Meatballs in this photo are Store Brand Swedish Style. These are great party meatballs, and can be heated in the oven or microwave. Need a Fondue Cheese? Miss Bonnie's Gourmet Cheese Spreads evolve into another realm of yummy when melted in a Fondue Pot or Warming Dish. I used small butter warmers here. I melted the Pimento, Jalapeño, or Miss Bonnie's Classic Cheddar Spread in the microwave first. Once melted, fill your fondue pot or warming dish to maintain consistency for dipping. Alternate Method: Warm your Cocktail Meatballs in the microwave, then melt your Miss Bonnie's Cheese in the microwave (stiring occasionally while it melts), then combine the warm meatballs and warm cheese together in a crock pot or slow cooker to keep warm. We have served "Miss Bonnie's Cheesey Dipped Meatballs" at many product demonstrations. So many shoppers always ask where the to find the Meatballs, we loose count.

Christmas At The Virginia Executive Mansion...

I received a call from Sarah Scarbrough, Director of The Executive Mansion that I would be receiving an invitation to a Christmas party at the Governor's Mansion. The Virginia Governor's Mansion is so beautiful during the Holidays. They offer tours of the Mansion, and I would recommend everyone in Virginia visit the Mansion sometime. There is a video tour of the Mansion posted on Youtube. I visited with Executive Chef Todd Schneider, Mansion Director Sarah Scarbrough, Governor McDonnell, and Virginia's First Lady. The food was prepared by Chef Todd, and it was fabulous! Chef Todd prepared a Crab Dip, and a Spicy Taco Dip using Miss Bonnie's Cheese Spreads. They were both Amazing!

Executive Chef Todd Schneider

First Lady Maureen McDonnell

Governor Bob McDonnell

Click On "Go To Executive Chef Web Site" For Mansion Recipes

"Miss Bonnie's Cheesecake Fruit Only Cheese Ball"

Cheesecake Cheese Ball you say? This wonderful Miss Bonnie's Party and Holiday Serving Tip idea came to me by chance. While we were sampling Miss Bonnie's Pecan and Walnut Cheese Balls, a number of customers told us they were allergic to nuts. Why not a Cheese Ball with Fruit only? I put on my shopping shoes, and Miss Bonnie's Cheesecake Fruit Only Cheese Ball has been another big hit with everyone. With the help of Chef Lisa, we created a fabulous, but different Fruit Mix for this Sweet and Tart Wonderful Cheese Ball. Serve on Graham Crackers or Tea Biscuits. Tastes like Cheesecake. It really does ! Scroll down for the Recipe.

"Miss Bonnie's Cheesecake Fruit Only Cheese Ball"
Recipe:

1. One Bag Of Ann's House Of Nuts "All Fruit Mix" 11oz.

2. One Bag Of Ocean Spray CRAISINS "Orange Flavor" 6oz.

3. One Bag Of Ocean Spray CRAISINS "Cheery Flavor" 6oz.

4. Empty all three bags of fruit listed above into a food processor

5. Chop and evenly mix until all fruit pieces are the desired size (careful not to over chop..see above photo)

6. Use One jar of "Miss Bonnie's Gourmet Pimento Cheese Spread"

7. Spoon the cheese into a small cereal size bowl

8. Form the one half pound of cheese into a ball. One jar of Miss Bonnie's makes a nice 1/2 pound sized Cheese Ball

9. Take the fruit mix in your hand and pat onto cheese ball. Rolling the fruit onto the cheese ball doesn't work very well for me.

10. Put the cheese ball on a small plate or dish and cover with clear wrap in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

11. Serve on Graham Crackers or Tea Biscuits

12. Fruit Mix will make about 5 Cheese Balls

* Post Thanksgiving 2008 Fruit Only Cheese ball Update: I have received a number of emails letting me know what a perfect "Something To Take" idea "Miss Bonnie's Cheesecake Fruit Only Cheese Ball" was. This Cheese Ball will be the talk of your parties and family gatherings.
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Miss Bonnie's A Big Hit At Washington DC Cooking Show...

We introduced Miss Bonnie's Gourmet Cheese Spreads at the Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show in Washington, DC in Mid-November. The estimated attendance was 25,000 with Paula Dean, Rachael Ray, and Chef Bobby Flay all doing cooking demonstrations. Those that attended were from Northern VA, Maryland, DC, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, West Virginia, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and numerous other states. There was one lady from Boston that absolutely fell in love with Miss Bonnie's. Many people came back multiple times for "just one more taste." It was so gratifying to see so many people from many different states and cultural backgrounds respond in such a positive way after tasting Miss Bonnie's Cheese Spreads.

"Miss Bonnie's Emerald Isle Cheese Spread"

For those that love Smoked Salmon, this is a fabulous recipe using Miss Bonnie's Gourmet Pimento Cheese. I haven't tried it using my Jalapeño Cheese Spread because the horseradish in this recipe really delivers a wonderful "Zing" that will have your taste buds asking for more. I used toasted plain and multi-grain French Bread in this photo. This one will have everyone that tastes it asking for the recipe. Pairs so well with wine. Create mini appetizer sandwiches using capers, diced onion, and sliced tomato along with this fabulous salmon spread. Scroll down for Recipe.

"Miss Bonnie's Emerald Isle Cheese Spread"

Recipe: Makes about 40 appetizer servings

Ingredients:
• 8 ounces Miss Bonnie's Pimento Cheese Spread
• 4 ounces smoked salmon, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 to 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish(Try one tablespoon first)
• 2 tablespoons honey
Preparation:
1. Place all ingredients in large bowl and toss until combined.
2. Spoon mixture into glass pie plate or other microwave-safe dish. Cover loosely. Microwave on 1/2 power (Medium) for 3 minutes, stirring at intervals, or until cheese is melted.
3. Serve warm with crackers or toasts.

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My Visit With An Old Friend...

Patricia Cornwell, the best selling crime novelist, was in Colonial Heights, VA recently doing a book signing for her new novel Port Mortuary. I was Patricia's makeup artist when she was based in Richmond. She now lives in the Boston area. I had the opportunity to travel with her, and her book tour group. I even traveled to Europe during a book tour on The Concord. It was so good to see her again, and of course I took her some Miss Bonnie's Cheese Spreads, as they are not yet available where she lives. She is a very kind and giving lady that motivates everyone around her. There were about 300 people at the signing, and I guess everyone was wondering why she hugged me and we talked so long.

"Miss Bonnie's Biscuit Roll Ups"

Here is a wonderful Party and Holiday Miss Bonnie's Serving Tip that is so much fun to create, and so yummy. In this photo I used Miss Bonnie's Jalapeño Cheese Spread, and Red Eye Country Ham. My favorite biscuits to use are the Jumbo (8 per tube) Buttermilk Biscuit. Giant, Kroger, and Martin's carry a variety of flavors of Jumbo Biscuits.

"Miss Bonnie's Biscuit Roll Ups"

Recipe: Makes about 35 appetizer servings

Ingredients:
• 1 Tube of Jumbo Buttermilk Biscuits (8 biscuits in each tube)

• Miss Bonnie's Gourmet Cheese Spread
• Red Eye Country Ham - (Use any sliced meat - The possibilities are endless)

Preparation:
• 1. Pat or roll out each biscuit as you would a pie crust. Should be about 5 inches round
• 2. Spread some Miss Bonnie's Cheese Spread onto the biscuit dough, leaving at least 1 inch around the edges.
• 3. Add your sliced meat - As much as you want keeping in mind you will have to roll the biscuit.
• 4. Roll each biscuit and gingerly pinch the ends and down the side to hold together while slicing.
• 5. Slice each biscuit roll into 1 and a half to 2 inch lengths.
• 6. Bake following the instructions on the biscuit package.
Usually 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes until biscuits turn golden brown.

• See Photos Below For Preparation •

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